Visit & Vibes

The reason for my visit was that last year, I turned 40, and my friends gifted me a voucher for an overnight stay.

Finally, I’m getting the chance to use it, and I couldn’t be more excited, as the Isle of Skye has been on my bucket list for ages.

This opportunity forced me to take some time out and plan what I could see during the day trip / overnight stay.

About The Hotel

A former Victorian mansion, and today a characterful and charismatic hideaway, Duisdale is where you can come together with friends and family to enjoy the warmest Highland hospitality.

Facing the Sound of Sleat and looking to the mountains of Knoydart, the journey here’s well worth it – whether you’re staying in or heading out to explore what’s beyond the view.

Booking Experience

When I called to book my stay, the lady I spoke to was incredibly pleasant and helpful. She provided me with all the necessary information, and the booking experience was absolutely perfect. I couldn’t fault it in any way.

Arrival and Check-In

Upon arrival, as I pulled up to the entrance of the hotel, I was greeted by a truly lovely sight. Stepping out of the car and turning around, I was treated to a beautiful view from the hotel. My first impression was exceedingly positive, and I couldn’t wait to step inside.

Upon entering the building, I was immediately struck by a delightful aroma. I’m not sure what they use for air freshener or scented candles, but it was truly delightful.

I was warmly greeted by a member of staff, and the check-in process was flawless.

Everything, from breakfast times to dinner reservations and the location of my room, was clearly explained.

Nothing was overlooked, and everything proceeded seamlessly. Once again, the staff were extremely friendly and welcoming. At that moment, I knew my stay was going to be absolutely delightful.

Décor	★★★★★
Entrance Cleanliness	★★★★★
Staff Friendliness & Welcome	★★★★★
Staff Appearance / Uniform	★★★★★
Restaurant Cleanliness	★★★★★
Hotel facilities & layout explained	Yes
Hotel Parking	?

Bedroom and Amenities

The room I stayed in was the master suite, located on the side of the hotel.

Upon entering, you step into a charming little conservatory, which adds to its appeal. From there, you proceed into a delightful, warm, modern lounge area, that has a cosy atmosphere. Continuing on, you enter a similarly lovely, modern, and cosy bedroom. Finally, upon opening the bathroom door, you’re greeted by a stunning, spacious, and beautiful bathroom.

The bedroom and lounge area were impeccably clean. You could adjust the heaters to your desired temperature or simply turn them off if it got too warm. The view from the bedroom overlooked the garden, offering a pleasant sight.

The bed was exceptionally comfortable and cosy.

In the lounge area, there was a coffee machine available. The facilities also included a telephone, complimentary dressing gowns, slippers, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

The bed was huge—it could easily accommodate four of me. I slept soundly throughout the night, feeling completely refreshed in the morning. The pillows were just right, and the room had a wonderfully cosy ambience.

After a long drive, exploring the island, making quick stops, and enjoying a delightful dinner the previous night, I had an incredibly restful sleep. It was one of the best sleeps I’ve had during my recent hotel stays.

ROOM FEATURES

• Ensuite facilities
• Free WiFi
• Complimentary refreshments
• Iron & Board
• Television
• Hairdryer

Quality of bedding	★★★★★
Bedroom Cleanliness	★★★★★
View from Room	★★★★

Bathroom

As mentioned earlier, the bathroom is absolutely stunning, as you can see from the pictures. It features a perfectly sized bath, a fantastic walk-in shower, double sinks, ample floor space, perfect lighting, and a skylight above the bath.

It truly is a breathtaking bathroom and one of the nicest I’ve ever seen.

The bathroom provided toiletries, and the temperature and pressure of the water in the walk-in shower were perfect—couldn’t fault it. The cleanliness of the bathroom was exceptional, and the quality of the tiles used was top-notch, meeting a very high standard.

Overall, I couldn’t find any faults here. I’m still in awe of how stunning this bathroom is as I type this post.

Quality of Towels	★★★★★
Bedroom Cleanliness	★★★★★
Temperature of water	★★★★★
Did the hotel/venue provide toiletries?	YES

Dining / Breakfast Area

Upon check-in, I was asked if I wanted to dine that evening, and I decided to do so, setting a time for dinner and breakfast as well.

The dining area is very cozy and beautifully designed, with perfect spacing between tables to ensure you don’t feel too close to your neighbor. The tables were set perfectly, and the staff were pleasant, helpful, and wonderful to talk to.

One staff member I interacted with, Frank, was particularly delightful—we had a good chat and a few laughs.

For dinner, I opted for a two-course meal priced at £39. You could choose to have three courses, but I decided on two. The dishes were absolutely wonderful and tasted amazing. Keep an eye out for a follow-up blog review focusing solely on my dinner experience.

The breakfast area was located just beside the dining area, offering a lovely view of the outside area, similar to the view from my master suite.

Once again, everything was impeccably clean, with a comfortable temperature.

The staff were extremely helpful, and breakfast was included with my stay. I chose to have porridge followed by eggs Benedict, and both dishes were amazing. The porridge was incredibly smooth and tasty, and the eggs Benedict was delightful.

Again, I couldn’t find any faults here.

Quality of Seating	★★★★★
Bedroom Cleanliness	★★★★★
Choice of foods	★★★★★
Noise Level	★★★★★

Location

The location of the hotel, in my opinion, was excellent.

After crossing the bridge, it’s just a short drive to reach the hotel, and you’re also approximately an hour away from Portree and other sites in that area—though, of course, the travel time depends on traffic conditions.

Personally, I didn’t encounter any issues with the hotel’s location. I was able to see everything I wanted to within the span of a day and still return to the hotel in time for a pleasant check-in, dinner, and an early night.

So, from my perspective, I believe the hotel’s location was really good.

Final Thoughts…

I have stayed in several hotels quite recently, whether it be for hotel awards, invitations, or simply for pleasure, and I must say, I left feeling incredibly positive about this place. Every aspect, from booking to check-in, dining, and checking out, was a delightful experience.

The staff here are all exceptionally friendly, welcoming, and attentive to your needs. The hotel exudes a warm and cosy vibe, so the moment you walk through the door, you instantly feel relaxed.

In the master suite where I stayed, I’m sure the other rooms are equally cosy. I had a wonderful night’s sleep—the quality of the bedding was excellent, and I woke up feeling extremely refreshed and eager for the day ahead.

I can’t find fault with this hotel in any way. There wasn’t a single issue or problem during my stay. It was impeccably clean, and everything about it was perfect from start to finish. Because of that, I highly recommend checking it out and I’m adding it to my top hotels page.

I can’t stress enough what an amazing stay this was for me. I felt incredibly relaxed throughout. I only wish I had extra cash and time to extend my stay, perhaps for two days, to fully immerse myself in the hotel and island experience.

However, if I do return, I’ll definitely save up for it, as it’s a four-star hotel.

While the prices may be a bit high depending on the season and room type, overall, I had a wonderful stay here and I will be returning, possibly even this year. I’ve already made up my mind that I’d like to come back for another overnight stay, or perhaps even for two nights.

If you ever visit Skye, I highly recommend checking out this hotel, if it’s within your budget. If not, consider saving up a bit to experience it. I can’t recommend it enough, and a big thanks to the staff—if you’re reading this—for making me feel so welcome. Thank you very much, and see you soon.

Overall Value for Money	★★★★★
MY OVERALL RATING	★★★★★

The above blog post review is 100% honest and has not been influenced in anyway. Its a true representation of my thoughts.